"Every time you see them it looks like they're in midseason form," Ludlowe coach Chris Parisi said of Darien. "We expected to be in a position to win, and we were."

The Blue Wave graduated two Division I attack, Case Matheis and Henry West. In its first game without them, Darien's defense dominated, surrendering just 14 shots.

"Our goalie played hot, and our long poles played great," Brameier said. "Even the shots they did have weren't great."

With the Blue Wave up 4-3 early in the third, Lindley gave them some breathing room, scoring twice 18 seconds apart to boost the Blue Wave lead back to three.

"We were just trying to move the ball around and get the best look," Lindley said.

After Ryan Desmond cut the Blue Wave lead to 6-4 through three, Lindley scored from Kevin Seiler just 3:33 into the fourth to give the Wave a three-goal lead again.

Darien controlled first-quarter possession and shots, but the Falcons' defense and Kryspin were able to keep the Blue Wave off the scoreboard. Lindley's goal 2:41 in put Darien out front 1-0 but was the only score in the first quarter.

After Koorbusch and Lindley potted goals just 20 seconds apart, the Falcons answered. Mason scored two goals, and Robert Mitchell scored while Ludlowe was two-men down, tying the game at 3 late in the frame.